Gay prostate
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Here again, if you are a candidate for either surgery or radiation, it is essential that you discuss your needs and goals with your doctors.
If you practice both, you need to discuss the risks and benefits of both procedures, and determine which one is best for you.
Another important note: What’s your prostate cancer risk group? Your urologist should discuss this with you in determining your treatment options, but briefly: if you have very low-risk or low-risk prostate cancer, active surveillance is a good and probably long-term option.
Today, we understand that while the disease itself may be the same, LGBTQ+ patients can face unique challenges related to their sexual health, emotional well-being, and healthcare experiences. These providers are more likely to be aware of unique concerns and to make you comfortable.
For some men, this seriously affects their ability to have receptive sex ever again. The value of peer support – hearing “I went through this too, and here’s how I coped” – cannot be overstated. Accessing these can significantly improve a patient’s experience. (PMID: 36261584)
Support for the LGBTQIA+ Community with Prostate Cancer
Although prostate cancer is often described as a male cancer (including on this website), the reality is that anyone who was born with a prostate can develop prostate cancer.
“A condom is not going to help protect your partner from radiation,” says Amarasekera. Reducing barriers (like lack of insurance or fear of discrimination) is also important, because access to regular healthcare is a predictor of who gets screened mdpi.com. This includes using inclusive language (e.g., asking about “partners” instead of assuming gender), having non-discrimination statements visible, and training staff on LGBTQ+ cultural competency mdpi.com.
Anxiety about treatments, fear of recurrence, and changes in one’s body can lead to stress, depression, or a sense of lost identity. Consider building a support network of friends, family, or counselors with whom you feel comfortable discussing your prostate cancer diagnosis. Fortunately, specialized support resources have been emerging.
Researchers have identified several sexual side effects that are particularly relevant for gay and bisexual prostate cancer survivors:
- Loss of prostate stimulation: Removal or damage of the prostate can eliminate it as a source of sexual pleasure. In fact, mental health professionals knowledgeable about both oncology and LGBTQ+ issues can be invaluable.
However, gay and bisexual men may experience these side effects differently or more acutely in the context of their sexual practices and relationships pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. If you have unfavorable intermediate-risk, high-risk, or very high-risk cancer, then it needs to be treated sooner rather than later: your job is to be your own advocate and find the right treatment that will cure your cancer.
If you don’t feel comfortable discussing these issues with your doctor, consider a telemedicine appointment with a specialist at a center with expertise in treating gay and bisexual men with prostate cancer, to come up with the treatment plan that is right for you.
About
Janet Farrar Worthington
Janet Farrar Worthington is an award-winning science writer and has written and edited numerous health publications and contributed to several other medical books.
Medical schools and professional groups are increasingly offering training modules on LGBTQ+ health, and some cancer centers have specialized clinics or patient navigators for sexual and gender minority patients. The recovery of erectile function after surgery depends on several key factors: your cardiovascular health, whether or not you were having any erectile dysfunction (ED) before surgery, the extent of your cancer (whether one or both neurovascular bundles, the nerves on the outside of the prostate that control erection, were able to be spared during surgery) – and, frankly, the skill of your surgeon.
In contrast, gay and bisexual men may have very different support networks.
Prostate cancer often forces changes in what it means to “feel like a man” – for example, the loss of erectile function or fertility, changes in muscle mass during hormone therapy, etc. There are now nonprofit organizations and online communities that host prostate cancer support groups for gay and bisexual men, allowing them to connect with peers who truly understand their journey.
There are a few reasons why this might be the case. They might hear conversations that don’t resonate – for instance, discussions about regaining sexual function might focus on heterosexual intercourse, or there may be assumptions about the patient’s family structure (like concerns about “being intimate with your wife” or fertility issues related to having children).
J Cancer Surviv. 2024 (Sep 12) [Online ahead of print].